Ealain Creative

When most people think of painting, they think of brushes. But if you're only using brushes, you're missing out on one of the most exciting and expressive tools in your acrylic painting toolkit: the palette knife . Palette knives are not just for mixing paint—they can be used to build texture, create bold strokes, and give your paintings a dimensional, sculptural quality. Whether you want to add subtle peaks of paint or create entire landscapes with a knife, this post will teach you how to use palette knives effectively in your acrylic painting practice. What Is a Palette Knife? A palette knife is a flexible, flat tool used for mixing or applying paint. It has a blunt edge and comes in various shapes and sizes—some with rounded tips, others angular or pointed. Unlike brushes, palette knives don’t absorb paint, allowing you to work with thick, bold layers and create dynamic textures. There are two main types: Palette Knives : Designed for mixing paint on you...

Let’s Talk Brushes: Your Guide to the Right Tools for Acrylic Painting If you’ve ever stood in the art aisle staring at a wall of brushes thinking, “Why are there so many shapes?!” —you’re not alone. Choosing the right brush can feel like a mystery at first, but once you understand how each one behaves, it’s like unlocking a secret weapon for your painting style. So, let’s walk through this together—brush by brush. First, What’s a Brush Made Of? Before we get into shapes and sizes, let’s peek at what’s actually in your hand when you pick up a brush: Handle – Usually wood or acrylic, and either short or long. Long handles are great for standing and painting with broad strokes; short ones give you more control when working up close. Ferrule – That metal bit that holds the bristles in place. Bristles (or filaments) – These can be natural or synthetic. For acrylic painting, synthetic is the way to go—they're tougher and clean up way easier. The Brush Breakdown: Shapes ...

  How to Mix Beautiful Color Variations with Just 5 Paints Creating stunning, harmonious color palettes doesn't require an entire art store's worth of paint. With just five key tubes—red, yellow, blue, white, and black—you can produce a full spectrum of colors for your acrylic paintings. This post dives deep into how to mix color variations, develop subtle tints and shades, and build a practice that improves your eye for color relationships. Your Core Palette Start with these five essential paints: Cadmium Red Medium (or Pyrrole Red) Hansa Yellow Medium (or Cadmium Yellow) Ultramarine Blue (or Phthalo Blue for a cooler alternative) Titanium White Mars Black (or Ivory Black) These colors offer balance across temperature and value, giving you a great foundation for mixing. Mixing Secondary Colors By combining your primaries, you can create all secondary colors: Red + Yellow = Orange Yellow + Blue = Green Blue ...

 If you're painting with acrylics on paper, one of the most essential steps is priming your surface with gesso. Gesso acts as a barrier between the paint and the paper, preventing the paint from seeping in and causing warping or tearing. Properly applied gesso ensures that your colors remain vibrant, your brushstrokes smooth, and your artwork long-lasting. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about gessoing paper for acrylic painting. What Is Gesso and Why Use It? Gesso is a white paint-like primer made from chalk, gypsum, pigment, and binder. It prepares your surface for paint by creating a slightly textured, absorbent ground. Without gesso, paper can absorb too much moisture from acrylic paint, leading to buckling and an uneven surface. Benefits of Gesso: Prevents Warping : Especially important on thinner papers. Creates Texture : Adds grip to help paint adhere better. Saves Paint : Reduces absorption so paint sits on top of th...

 When you're starting with acrylic painting, one of the first and most important choices you'll face is selecting the right surface to paint on. The substrate you choose can affect your painting technique, the final appearance of your work, and even how long your painting lasts. Two of the most popular substrates are paper and canvas. In this post, we'll walk through their differences, when to use each, and how to prepare them properly. Understanding the Basics: What Is a Substrate? A "substrate" in painting refers to the surface on which you apply your paint. For acrylic artists, common substrates include: Watercolor paper Stretched canvas Canvas boards Wood panels While you can paint on almost anything with acrylics, paper and canvas remain the most popular for their accessibility and versatility. Watercolor Paper: A Budget-Friendly Favorite Watercolor paper is a fantastic choice for beginners and even for experienced art...

There are advertisements placed on this blog, for products that I personally use and enjoy. You should know that if you click on those advertisements and or purchase something from them, I will receive money from that purchase. It doesn't cost you more than it normally would, and it supports me and this here blog. Thank you!  When I first started painting with acrylics, I used whatever was nearby as a palette. Old plastic lids, paper plates, the occasional Tupperware lid I hoped no one would notice missing... If it had a flat surface, it was fair game. Eventually, I upgraded to disposable plastic palettes, then to a peel-off pad that I thought was the height of luxury. But once I tried a glass palette? Total game changer. Now, before I go all-in on singing the praises of glass, let me say this: you absolutely don’t need one to make great art. But it is worth exploring if you’re curious about making your painting process smoother and cleaner—and maybe even a little more fun. So, w...

There are advertisements placed on this blog, for products that I personally use and enjoy. You should know that if you click on those advertisements and or purchase something from them, I will receive money from that purchase. It doesn't cost you more than it normally would, and it supports me and this here blog. Thank you!  Setting Up Your Acrylic Painting Workspace (Even in Small Spaces) When I first got into acrylic painting, I thought I needed a dreamy, Pinterest-perfect studio to really do it right. You know, exposed brick, giant windows, a dozen perfectly organized paint jars in rainbow order... but the truth is, that’s not how most of us start. Or even finish. What really matters is creating a space that makes you feel inspired and comfortable—no matter how small or humble it is. For a long time, my painting setup was smack in the middle of our dining room. It wasn’t glamorous. It definitely wasn’t tidy. But it worked. I’d pull out my tabletop easel, roll over my trusty l...